Plea not to avenge death of woman

Press, 30 March 1985, Page 1

Plea not to avenge death of woman

A Maori elder has made a plea to young Maori people not to avenge the death of Deborah Rosemary Manuel, also known as Debbie Paul, who was fatally stabbed in the public bar of the United Service Hotel on Tuesday. Mr Hohua Tutengaehe, a spokesman for the confederation of Maori tribes in the South Island, made the plea after Mrs Manuel’s interment at the Ruru Lawn Cemetery yesterday. About 400 people attended the burial.

“On behalf of the kaumatua (elders) of the combined Maori tribes, we want to plead with the young people to refrain from any form of revenge,” he said. Maori elders had talked to the police to try to ease the situation, said Mr Tutengaehe. “Revenge has no place in matters pertaining to aroha (love).” Local elders looked to the young to one day become kaumatua, he said. “We are saddened by this unnecessary waste of life."

A gang presence was not evident at either the funeral service or burial. The service was conducted at the Burwood home of Mr Harry Paul, Mrs Manuel’s father. The large turnout meant the service had to be held outside. Both the funeral service and graveside interment were conducted by the Rev. Jim Consedine. Part of the service was recited in Maori. The cortege was about three-quarters of a mile